RICHMOND, B.C., Aug. 11 /CNW/ - Richmond is the site of Bank of Montreal's
new investore, an innovative full-service store that offers customers money
management products and services in a unique retail environment.
"The investore is a place where people can learn how to make the most of
their money in a relaxed atmosphere," said Terry Jackson, Executive Vice-
President, Asset Management Services, Bank of Montreal. "We speak to customers
in everyday language, avoiding the jargon of the investment industry."
Located in the Richmond Centre, investore is the first retail investment
shop of its kind in British Columbia. investore includes a resource centre
with financial planning books, newspapers and magazines offering money
management advice. Consumers can also use interactive, touch-screen kiosks to
determine their investment needs or use the internet to access information.
"Having grown up in BC and worked in the banking industry for many years, I
welcome the new investore which demystifies the world of money management. Its
convenient mall location and hours of operation make it accessible to the
entire community," said Bob McGlashan, Senior Vice-President, British Columbia
Division, Bank of Montreal.
Customers entering investore are greeted by a bilingual store manager,
fluent in both English and Cantonese. Other investore staff include an
investment specialist, representatives from InvestorLine, a discount brokerage
service and a First Canadian mutual fund specialist. Nesbitt Burns investment
advisors are also on site for customers who require a full service brokerage
for their investment. Representatives from The Trust Company of Bank of
Montreal and Jones Heward are also available.
"investore is designed to help people feel comfortable and confident about
managing their money. It provides one-stop shopping for investment products
and services and helps investors make informed decisions about their finances"
said Alan Manzie, Vice-President, Director and Divisional Manager Nesbitt
Burns, British Columbia.
At the official opening today, it was also announced that investore will
offer a My Money Investment Club for camp groups and school children. The My
Money Investment Club is designed to teach kids the basics of money management
in a fun and entertaining way. The investore will also provide a meeting space
to independent investment clubs looking for a new environment to meet and
discuss money management. The My Money kids club sessions and meeting space
for investment clubs can be booked by calling 604-668-1233.
In addition to the new investore at Richmond Centre, Bank of Montreal's
investore mobile has also been visiting communities and businesses throughout
British Columbia and the rest of Canada. investore mobile is a money
management store on wheels which offers a full range of investment products
and services.
Other investore locations currently include Calgary, London, Hamilton and
Toronto. Plans are underway to open more investores across Canada.
investore is the latest concept from Bank of Montreal's North American
Asset Management group which combines the bank's full range of mutual fund and
institutional asset management services in Canada and the United States with
total assets of $38 billion. The group includes First Canadian Funds,
InvestorLine, Jones Heward Investments Inc., The Trust Company of Bank of
Montreal, Harris Investment Management Inc and Harris Insight Funds.